Purling Sprite

Harry Potter Previews and my SP

The next Harry movie is just around the corner...I can feel it. It is almost here and I am so excited...I feel butterflies in my stomach. Yeah, I have read the books and I know what happens, but seeing it is a whole different pot of gold.

If you haven't seen the previews for the upcoming Goble of Fire movie, you must check it out. It seems that it is keeping up to the other movies in graphics and action. Definitely not a show for my 3 year old boy, whom loves Harry, but this Mum must check it out on November 18. Sooooo....I am planning to knit something to keep up with the Harry Potter theme...what should it be? I am thinking maybe a Hermione hat or maybe a scarf, probably a hat.

And now, I would like to take a few moments to tell you how much fun I am having with my Secret Pal. We keep in constant contact, you see, she is a LOST fan too and it is tons of fun chatting about the show. She is also so wonderful...remember Twist, well, she got it for me, that very same afternoon I mentioned it in the bloggy. She just rocks! And I can't wait to "see" who she is and read all about her in her bloggy.

Tchau :)

My Fav T-shirt and some random knits

Over at PumpkinKnits, Pumpkinmama wants to see our fav t-shirts. I have to say, I only have 1 very favorite t-shirt. And here it is...

Ok, so it is midnight and I probably look like roadkill, but give a woman a break, I just went through a whole day of work and kiddos and an unnerving episode of LOST.

Here is a close-up:

When I wear this t-shirt outside, it just makes me feel young and careless, so as you probably already imagine, I only wear it around the house. Another favorite thing about it is that it looks so sporty. I love the green color too and the blue edging around the sleeves.

In knitting news...well, tried knitting Branching Out with crack Rowan Kidsilk Haze, and I have to say that it feels like I am knitting my own darn hair, it is so thin and I am not really sure if I am liking the way it looks. Another annoying thing, my needles are too thick at the point to knit all those K3Tog, and SSK, and K2Tog...so experienced knitters, please suggest a better needle to use when knitting lace....please, I beg you. Share your knowledge...I have about 8 skeins of Kidsilk Haze and I would like to use them, but if I can't find a decent needle, I may have to give it to my Mum's cat to play with.

RAOKed and a FO

I traded some yarn with Denise last week and yesterday, I received my trade and a little RAOK from her.

That is Blossom yarn and a pattern for a baby shrug. Immediately, I had the urge to try the pattern, but I waited for a few hours...not because I wanted but because I had to fix dinner and then feed the family....you know, responsibilities!   

But, I couldn't stay away for long from the yarn, you see my needles were calling my name. They had been feeling neglected for a few weeks as they saw me open the closet each day, but instead of picking them up, I picked up a loom. They were sad, neglected and lonely. So, I decided to bring them some happiness, and the yarn quickly, ok, if you can call a whole day of knitting quick became this...

A little shrug for Nyah. Have you ever tried to keep a baby still for just a few seconds?

Let me tell ya, it is hard work. So Sam tried to make her smile and keep her stil, but she kept going everywhere. Which is ok, because it gives me the chance to show you the shrug in different poses.

Yeah, she makes a great model...if only she could go to sleep before 11pm.

And of course, I have to also share a pic of my little Bryant. Oh, he is getting so big. He used to be my little boy, now he is just so big and he doesn't like to be called a "baby" anymore.

My little baby boy is growing up, but in the meantime, I'll enjoy the process and watch with delight at all the different stages he goes through.

Next on the needles...I am itching to try another Branching Out, this time with some Kidsilk Haze in wine color.

Tchau ;)

Chop, chop

It was just getting too long and unmaneageable. If you saw me, I usually had it up all the time, so there was no point in having it, so finally, yesterday, I decided to go chop, chop to it. And I went from this:

To this:

Ok, stop laughing, I'm not a model, but heck, it is hard to take a picture of yourself by using the mirror and a little baby to make you smile. My nose also is not that big...is it (trying to look at it). Well, what do you think? Be honest! I really was afraid of chopping it too short in fear that my chubby cheeks would take over and make me look like all cheeks. 

Anyways, I chopped about 7-8 inches. It feels a bit weird, but I am hoping my headaches stop and I was in need of a bit of a change. Now, if I could only get the guts to get some red highlights :). 

In knitting news--have you seen the new Twist sweater by Chicknits. I absolutely love it. I want it, I must have it. I don't know if I would put fringes on it, but I like the sweater.

In looming news--I am looming a bag on a Prayer Shawl Loom using Burly Spun by Brown Sheep. It is gorgeous, chunky yarn. Just 10 rows done, but it is going fast.

In family life, my little Nyah has a cold and she is miserable right now. It is tough being a baby and not being able to blow your nose. So she is getting extra Mommy time and lots of cuddles.

Which Famous Person...

Ok, another one, this one will be the last one of the day :).

Which Famous (infamous) person are you a reincarnation of?

 

*You're Albert Einstein! You are incredibly smart, although, you know that you do make mistakes like everyone else. You are kind, but you spend most of your time studying or doing experiments.*

Oh...I like this one a lot better than the other one.

Are you obsolete? I am Latin

Just for fun...a quiz brought by Quizilla Are you obsolete?

You are 'Latin'. Even among obsolete skills, the tongue of the ancient Romans is a real anachronism. With its profusion of different cases and conjugations, Latin is more than a language; it is a whole different way of thinking about things. You are very classy, meaning that you value the classics. You value old things, good things which have stood the test of time. You value things which have been proven worthy and valuable, even if no one else these days sees them that way. Your life is touched by a certain 'pietas', or piety; perhaps you are even a Stoic. Nonetheless, you have a certain fascination with the grotesque and the profane. Also, the modern world rejects you like a bad transplant. Your problem is that Latin has been obsolete for a long time.

Ok, I don't know if this is true--do you really reject me...booo hooo. I thought I was ok, but now I know...I am a bad transplant. I'll go to the corner and cry.

Hooked on LOST

No knitting content today...I have been looming away at ballerina slippers trying to make different sizes and writing up notes for the patterns.

Tonight is the premiere of LOST Season 2. We just got Season 1 over the weekend and Sam and I are hooked! We are only 1/2 way through the first season and I am anxiously looking forward to watching the other 1/2.

My dilemma, of course, is such a silly dilemma, but tonight is the premiere for the 2nd season, so if I am 1/2 way through the first season and I watch the premiere of the 2nd, would it ruin the next episodes in Season 1? And I know some of you may be thinking--duh! record it. But, you see, we only have 1 tv in the house, so we can't record it and watch the other episodes from Season 1 at the same time.  Hmmmm.

Anyone else into this program...I know my Secret Pal likes it too :).

I know...I am kinda of a couch potato and like to knit and watch tv.

To whomever watches this show...enjoy tonights episode :).

Ahoy me hearties!

Ahoy! Today be International Pirate Day and we are supposed to be talkin' like pirates.

Me be pirate and me pirate name is Captain Ethel Kidd

*Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr! *

Well--I am in charge me pirates--at least according to that description. Arr, walk the plank and catch me a fish for dinner, lol.

In me knittin' news, this lubber has been amakin' ballerina slippers on the looms. Trying different yarns and a different close for the toes. The latest ones feel a lot better on the toes, but the latest yarn, Patons Merino, has a lot more shrinkage than the lovely Brown Sheep. So the pattern for sure must say the type of yarn recommended.

If anyone of ye pirates are intested in testing my pattern, drop me a note, I need some little help. The following items are needed:

• Baby Hat Loom in Regular Gauge (32 pegs spaced at .5")
• About 500 yards of Lamb's Pride Bulky
• About 5 hours of your time

Here be some pictures o' t' slippers

Avast! The bilge rats have me camera! Must go in search around the house...

Ahoy! Me found it..here we go. Can you see--no bulk on the toes--success achieved!

A Loomy Looming Day

Yesterday was the grand day at Yarn Today. We had the knitting loom demonstrations and the turnout was awesome! We had about 10 people show up for the demos and most of them stayed with us the entire day. We were there from 10am to 4:30pm. Some showed up around 10 and some a bit later, but most of them stayed for the duration of the event. So, I am thinking that the demo must have been interesting, or they fell asleep on their chairs, but I think it was the first one--thank goodness!

Of course, I was a bit scared and afraid of making a donkey out of myself, but Tina was there to help me out :). She was there to help me out and to dig me out the holes I dug myself into. If I ever become famous with my looming and I have to go on tour around the country to do demos, I would have to take Tina with me :).

The day started with a demo of the round looms, then we moved to flat panel knitting, and lastly, to a small intro to the knitting boards. I even spiced it a bit by showing them an advanced stitch-the popcorn stitch :). I think they enjoyed that one very much.

Most of the new loomers are coming back to Nite in Knots to start their "real" projects. Some want to start scarves on the knitting board, others want to make a felted bag, and others want to try making prayers shawls and  triangle shawls.

Overall it was a terrific experience. It was a bit unnerving at the beginning but as the day progressed, I got in my loomy mode and my "gabbing" flowed easier. Now, I know what I would do differently if I had to do it again.I have gained experience and I am ready for a second try :).

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! The joy of sharing the craft was exhilarating. Yeah, I was a bit tired, OK-I admit, I was pooped by the time I got home, but it was well worth it.

Joys of my Loomy Day:

• Foo learning how to wrap a round loom and a knitting board and all through out, she was full of smiles.
• Mary getting excited about making a felted bag and learning as fast as she could so that she could start her bag on Thursday
• Rita, although an avid knitter, picking up a board and learning the figure 8 stitch--with purple yarn :).
• Linda learning how to purl in under a minute!
• Rachel do 4 rows of popcorn stitch all by herself

For all these wonderful ladies, this was their first contact with looms. The excitement of seeing their first knitted swatches was evident and contagious.

The entire day was just fab! But it had to be, you see, my day started with a very tight hug from my hubby and the words of reassurance that I would do great. And, a little something to brighten my day and give me a smile.

SP6 Questionnaire & a contest

Dear Secret Pal, I don't know who you are, but I know that you are probably looking for my questionnaire. Here it is in case you are wondering. It is also on the sidebar by the SP6 button.

I am excited and I await my email letting me know who I will be spoiling for the next little bit.

Now for the bribe contest--I have decided that like many other bloggers, I have become a "comments hog". I know the blog gets viewed, but I am lacking on the comments section. So, I am resorting to a bribe, yep, a bribe...you see how low I am willing to go to hear from you. If you are reading this and would like to win the following: 2 skeins of Noro #70 leave me a comment. Comment #350 wins the yarn :). At the rate I am getting comments, it should be anytime in the next month, hahahaha. So, start leaving me comments :).